Last week I spent a couple days in Boise for some volunteer
activities for Valentine’s Day. On Wednesday, I spent an hour and a half in the
Pediatric Department of St. Luke’s. With it being cold and flu season, many of
the children were in isolation, but I was able to visit their rooms and at
least wave through the window or from the doorway. I love seeing a little
girl’s face light up when she sees the crown! There were a few children on the
mend who were not in isolation thankfully. Most of the little girls I visited
enjoyed holding my crown and posing for a picture with it on her head. The
majority of the little boys, however, were more interested in their game boys
than seeing Miss Idaho…so the one little boy who did welcome me in to visit,
Javier, made my day! He even got a picture with the crown on HIS head after he
let his sister try it on as well.
Although I wasn’t able to keep any of the pictures, all of the children
received copies, and I had a great day to include among many sweet memories
from this year as Miss Idaho. Our children’s hospital is absolutely wonderful
with the friendly staff and accommodations they make for each child. Malia, the
playroom coordinator at St. Luke’s, showed me around 4th floor of
the hospital where there is not only the children’s playroom, but the teen
lounge that was created and inspired by teens. They have an Xbox, Rock Band,
board games, music, movies, everything you could think of! No one wants to be
stuck in the hospital, but St. Luke’s does a great job of making it a little
more enjoyable.

Just after volunteering in the Pediatric Dept. I wish I could've kept the picture I got with the kids!

After my time at St. Luke’s, I drove out to the Robinson’s
house, where they so graciously let me stay whenever I am in the Treasure
Valley for appearances. It was so fun to catch up with Amy and tell her all
about my Miss America experience. She has such a great outlook on life and has
always been there to keep me grounded when “pageant-mode” clouds my vision of
the grand scheme of life. Increased gratitude for the state of Idaho, my
ever-supportive family and friends, the foundation values that make up my
character, and the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has a plan for my life are
just a few of the treasures that I walked away from Miss America with. After
talking to Amy, I went back out to the garage to unload my car and before I
knew it, this cute little blonde girl had run from the school bus and was glued
to my side! J
If anything can make a place feel like home, it’s a hug from sweet Bretta
Robinson!

After catching up with my “Boise family” I got back on the
road, and headed to Caldwell to grab some dinner with one of my best friends
from high school. Morgan showed me around campus at College of Idaho,
introduced me to a lot of her friends, and as we were sitting down for dinner,
I ran into none other than Katy Lootens, Miss Idaho’s Outstanding Teen 2010.
What a phenomenal musician, leader, and individual! Katy and I competed
together the year that she won, and it was a blast to follow her year and see
how well she represented our state at nationals. She is staying busy with
school and continues to be a great role-model for those who recognize her from
the MIOT (Miss Idaho’s Outstanding Teen) Organization.

After getting a little dose of college life again and
catching up with Morgan, I met my director to talk about Miss Idaho Orientation
and plans for the pageant this summer. It was a SWEET experience – literally,
since we met at Cheesecake Factory. But before we started talking Miss Idaho
stuff, it was so refreshing to just talk about life! After all of the support
and training that Tami has given me for Miss America, it was fun to see more
into the person she is outside of her role as Miss Idaho’s director. Idaho is
truly blessed to have Tami and the other board members who put in so much time,
money, and effort because they love this program and they love to see young
women empowered.

Thursday (also Valentine’s Day!), I went to the Veteran’s
Hospital for VIP Day. I went around with the Hospital Director (my Uncle Dave),
and my escort Mike Smith from the Disabled American Veterans organization, to
deliver handmade valentines to veterans in the hospital, under hospice care,
and in the nursing home. Elementary school children from Caldwell made the
valentines, with personal notes thanking each of the service men and women for
their dedication to our country. We had a photographer follow us around to each
of the rooms so that we could give photos to each veteran as well. But I was
not the only person visiting Veterans on Valentine’s Morning. I met Coach
Peterson of the BSU Broncos and Governor Butch Otter. It was a great day for
service, and a lot of fun to learn from some of the experiences and stories of
our Veterans.

With my escort, Mike Smith from the Disabled Veterans Org.

Getting a picture with one of the Veterans on Valentine's Day

Meeting Governor Butch Otter for VIP day at the Veteran's Hospital. Did you know his wife Lori was a Miss Idaho USA?

After visiting with the Veterans, I dropped off about twenty
filled handbags to The Valley Crisis Center in Nampa and the City Light Home in
Boise. It amazes me how many charitable facilities like these that we have in
Southeastern and Western Idaho that provide for families in need. My last stop
before heading home was to get my oil changed at Mike’s Boise Clutch and
Automotive. They sponsored Miss Idaho this year with four free oil changes –
and boy are those oil changes very needed! It was my third time going into
Mike’s, and every time I have received great service. If you live in the Boise
area, Mike’s is definitely the place to go!

Just dropping off some handbags to the Valley Crisis Center in Nampa

I'm excited to go to Teton Valley Curves tomorrow for the Open House!

Tomorrow I have an exciting day in Teton Valley helping at
the Curves for Women Open House. I’ll be directing three fitness classes
throughout the day and speaking about my experiences getting ready for the
swimsuit competition at Miss Idaho and Miss America...stay tuned!